The sister restaurant to celebrity chef Luke Nguyen’s Crown Street venture, Red Lantern on Riley brings a vintage Indochine charm to a quiet part of East Sydney.

The brief called for a space that looked as if it had always been there. The Giant Design team took inspiration from films such as ’The Quiet American’ and ’In the Mood for Love’ to create an interior with a stately colonial elegance.

A textured, age look was achieved on the walls and joinery with a specialty hand-finish paint and plaster.

Furniture was custom-designed; hand-made cement tiles, marble, lighting and miscellaneous props were sourced from Vietnam. Personal touches referencing Nguyen’s family history add to the period feel of the space.

Adjoining Red Lantern the restaurant is Red Lily, a small bar with a gritty, street feel. Raw finishes, soft lighting and intimate seating provide a retreat from the larger restaurant space.

The beauty of Red Lantern and Red Lily is in the detail, with handcrafted and personal touches creating a warm, intimate atmosphere and transporting visitors to another time and place.

Photography: Andrew Worssam

Giant Design
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